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Pfister, Maturana remember Adams

Ghana and former national senior head coach Otto Pfister expressed his sadness on the passing of the former Central FC and W Connection player.

Pfister included Adams in his team during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and worked with the player during several training sessions in 2011.

“I am shocked by these shattering news. We lost a jewel in the football family and the best left back in T&T. Peace be with you Akeem,” Pfister said. Another former head coach Francisco Maturana, who gave Adams his senior international debut in a friendly against El Salvador in 2008, also expressed his condolences.

“It is a very sad day. He was a good player and a very nice boy. I was very sad to hear what happened to him when he suffered (a) heart attack and now this news is even more tragic. I know he will be missed by many,” Maturana said.

Akeem lives on at Ferencvarosi

Akeem Adams will live on in the hearts and minds of many who had the chance to experience time with him whether it was while he was running around with the number 52 shirt, donning the red, white and black or having a one on one with him in conversation.

As tributes continue to pour in for him since his untimely passing last month, plans are ongoing to have his name honoured at Ferencvarosi, the Hungarian club which he joined in August.

Vegel Tamas, a gentleman who heads the club’s supporters travel group, said that although Adams played only a few games for the club, he left a lasting impression.

“Two weeks ago my girlfriend and I had the chance to visit Akeem in the hospital. He was very glad to meet us and he said to me that he is ‘feeling strong and he has got a lot of plans’,” Tamas said.

“He only played a few games but we liked him a lot because of his mentality and the way he carried himself. The fans really liked him and they will miss him at the club.” Another Ferencvarosi fan, Erik Gyovi, sent his tribute to the former player, saying: “At first glance, Akeem appeared to be humble and professional. He was a very good player. Here a lot of people loved him. I'm very shocked that he died, Akeem we miss you! Go Ferencvaros. Peace T&T.”

Trinidadian Robert Solomon just missed out on seeing Adams, arriving in Budapest on the day of his passing. Solomon made the trip to bring in the new year and had planned to carry some warm greetings from T&T to the 22-year-old.

“It was so sad because I only received the news that he had passed on shortly after I arrived in Budapest. But the love for him here is very evident. He definitely touched them in many ways,” said Solomon, who paid his respects visiting the memorial site set up for the player at the club’s stadium in Budapest.

Swansea renew interest in Jones

English club Swansea City are reported to be back in the hunt for Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones as Michael Laudrup looks to solve his striker crisis.

Reports out of England on the weekend suggest that the Tr&T captain is back on Swans radar as Laudrup has put a new striker at the top of his wanted list after losing Michu to injury for at least the next six weeks but finding one will be easier said than done.

The Dane admits competition for the top players will be fierce and fears he may not be able to land his top targets. “We just have to adapt to the situation with the players we have and look at what we can do in January, but it's not easy,” he said. “A lot of teams are looking for attacking players so it will be a difficult job. If it's the right player, yes [we'll try to sign them]. But at least five or six teams will be looking for him.” Jones’ contract at Stoke runs out in the summer.

Hinds, Uconn teammates for U-20 Final round in Caymans

T&T’s Liana Hinds will join two of her teammates from the University of Connecticut Women’s team at the upcoming Concacaf U-20 Final Qualifying tournament in the Cayman Islands starting tomorrow. Toriana Patterson is the other Husky in the tournament as she lines up for Jamaica while Rachel Hill is in the United States team. Hinds played an integral role in a tough UConn defense last season. The American Athletic Conference recognized Hinds’ efforts with Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 30. She played in all 20 games for the Huskies in 2013, starting 11.

The T&T team has been in Fort Lauderdale, engaged in a training camp for the past few days.

We are hoping to get the team as ready as possible for the tournament. This camp will assist in getting the players ready for their assignment in the Caymans. It is not going to be an easy assignment in the Caymans but we will give it our best,” said head coach Izler Browne. T&T opens their final round campaign against Honduras on Friday at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. They then take on hosts Cayman Islands on Sunday and Mexico two days later. Defending champion United States—seeded into Group A—kcks off against Central American foe Costa Rica. Jamaica and Guatemala initiate the tournament today.

The two groups of four teams will participate in round-robin play over the competition’s first six match days. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals on January 17. The semifinal winners will contest the final, as well as qualify directly for the U-20 Women’s World Cup. The winner of the third-place match also earns a coveted ticket to the event.

Yorke takes Premier League Trophy to India

Dwight Yorke’s hectic travel schedule continues as he jets off to India and the Middle East from January 16 for the Manchester United worldwide Trophy Tour, delivered by DHL.

Yorke will be accompanying the Barclays Premier League trophy in Doha on January 16, before moving on to New Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia where the T&T national team played at during the OSN Cup last year.

“It’s always a hectic schedule but also a great privilege and honour to be representing Manchester United and to feel the love and the way the fans around the world adore this great club. I’m always happy to do my part,” Yorke said.

Supporters will be able to attend events for the chance to meet Yorke and have photos taken with the silverware, which the Reds won for a 20th time in 2012/13.

In Mumbai, fans will also have the opportunity to see a display featuring items of historic memorabilia from the Old Trafford museum. Yorke, an ambassador for Manchester United, was also part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy tour last year.